Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-13

appeal" in petty litigation is the ruin Of
the parties engaged In it. I do not wish
or intend to disparage an honorable pro-
fession, but at the same time observation
has taught me most lawyers are anxious
to vindicate their own side and to sue
coed, and if clients will consent to pay
fees and costs they will always find en-
couragement to appeal as long as there is
a higher court to appeal to.
THE TEXAS VETERANS.
recommend repeal of the statute un-
der which land certificates are now being
| issued to Texas veterans. I have believed
and still believe that under a fair con-
struction of the law these certificates
were patentable in Greer county. That
comfy contains about 1900, 900 acres,
and even if all the veteran certificates
were located there, there would still be
one-half left to the free schools, with
some 100000 acres to spare.
Why shall q government mock its faith
ers by rendering them bounty that turns
to ashes in their hands? Sach action is
only equalled by the acs of a former leg
stature, which provided that these old
patriots should have medsls-"provided
they had them made at their own ex-
pense!'
Sooner or later these certificates, as
well as the large number improvidently
issued TO railways after the lands were
exhausted or withdrawn from location,
will furnish the basis for demands against
the state.
STATE TROOPS.
This extra force has been of great serv-
1n no 1oSt trrn In
maintenance a wise economy has pre-
vailed, and in all other respects its man
agement has been satisfactory. The
legislature appropriated $ for this
service, and there has been used only the
sum of 8, leaving an unexpended
balance of s.. In every instance
where the active aid of the state troops
has been sought they have responded
with alacrity-alwaps acting in subordi-
nation, however, to the regular civil au-
thoritieS.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAXATION.
There is growing tendency to.accum-
ulate properly lin the names of various
organizations so as to bring it within
some of the exemption laws, and thus re-
iieve it from taxation. This is another
species of inequality as to the burdens of
government which demands the attention
of the legislature. During the year past
there has been suit decided against
the county and state, IN an attempt
TO tax certain property in Travis county.
The suit was In the name of A. r. Nor
ris, and under my advice and that of the
attorney-general, Mr.. Morris appealed
the case, on my assurance that l would
bring the subject before the legislature
and ask provision for saving him harm
les on his appeal, which l now do.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The history of this state is curious
one. We accord to our early rulers great
patriotism and wisdom, but they appear
to have set but little value ON public.
grounds and land generally. Texas was
once the owner of all her soil. She gave
it way, however, and then purchased
back the ground on which the capital city
now stands. To-day there is not single
public park or acre of ground for recrea-
ton or pleasure in or about the city
The state has parted with the title to all
her ground, but whenever her needs in
crease she has to purcha e property at
eXorbitant prices, no matter whether the
property be required in or about this city
or IN the country for the use of her pub
lie institutions. In view of these
facts, l recommend that all the
public ground still owned by the state in
this city be retained by the state for
future use. With this object and for this
purpose l have declined to sell the five
acres on the south side Of the river for
merry u-ed by the fish commissioner.
although was authorized to do SO by the
legislature, and | recommend that the
property be Withdrawn from sale.
The lack of parks and public grounds
in and around Astin, the capital of the
state, is greatly to be regretted, and if
some feasible scheme could be devised
whereby the omission could be supplied
legislation on that subject would not be
in vain. Herewith l transmit the report
of the superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, to which invite the atten-
tion of the legislature.
THE NEW CAPITOL.
After the work on this building had
progressed to the completion of the base
ment story and the water-tahle, the con-
tractor stated to the capitol board that he
could not procure the limestone required
by the contract for the buildiny, and pro.
posed a change to Indiana limestone.
This proposition was the subject of much
discussion, and finally majority OF the
board voted to accept the Indiana lime
stone.
The law gsve to the governor on be-
half of the state and to the contractor the
unlimited authority to make changes in
the original contract, and while / had
very great respect for the views and
opinions of those voting to accept the
Indiana limestone, l considered it my
duty to the people of Texas to refuse
that stone and to insist that if any
change was made it should be to Texas
granite. This did, and the results are
to be seen in the grand structure now
towering upwards on Capitol hill.
1t will require considerable money to
put the grounds in order and to furnish
the new capitol. L have assurances that
the building will be completed and ready
for occupany by tle time the Twenty
First legislature meets. l call your at
tention to this matter so that you may
take such action in the case as you in
your wisdom see fit. In the meatime it
is proper 10 say that for durability and
completeness the editice so far as it has
gone is unsurpassed, and posterity will
nave 10 reason to be ashamed of the
work.
The granite for this building is q Gift to